A Former Texas Longhorns Quarterback Expresses Conflicting Opinions About Quinn Ewers
A Former Texas Longhorns Quarterback Expresses Conflicting Opinions About Quinn Ewers: A Complex View of Texas’ Future Quarterback
The quarterback position is arguably the most scrutinized on any football team, but for the Texas Longhorns, it’s been the focal point of speculation, expectation, and controversy for years. The Longhorns have had their share of highs and lows under center, and in recent seasons, the conversation has circled around Quinn Ewers, the highly-touted former five-star recruit who transferred from Ohio State to Texas. As Ewers enters his second season as the starter, opinions about his potential, leadership, and future with the Longhorns remain divided among fans, analysts, and former players.
One of the most intriguing takes on Ewers’ development and future with Texas comes from a former Longhorns quarterback, who has expressed conflicting opinions about the young signal-caller. While this former quarterback acknowledges Ewers’ obvious talent and potential, they also have reservations about his ability to fulfill the lofty expectations placed on him. The mixed views on Ewers reflect both his undeniable skill set and the challenges that come with playing for a program as high-profile as Texas.
Let’s dive into this former quarterback’s conflicting thoughts on Ewers, unpacking both the praise and the concerns that surround the rising star.
Quinn Ewers: A Talent with Tremendous Potential
When Quinn Ewers arrived at Texas as a transfer from Ohio State in 2022, he immediately became one of the most talked-about players in college football. His pedigree as a five-star recruit who had initially committed to Texas before making a brief detour to Ohio State raised the expectations for his arrival to unprecedented levels. Ewers was widely considered the future of Texas football—the missing piece to the Longhorns’ search for a true quarterback leader since the departure of Colt McCoy.
In terms of raw talent, Ewers’ potential is undeniable. The former Southlake Carroll star possesses a strong arm, exceptional vision, and impressive footwork. His ability to throw the deep ball with accuracy and velocity stands out, as does his potential for quick decisions in the pocket. These are the types of traits that have NFL scouts excited about his future prospects.
For the former Texas quarterback, it’s clear that Ewers has the tools necessary to become a great player. “You can’t ignore his natural arm strength and his ability to make throws that not many quarterbacks in the country can make,” the former Longhorns quarterback said. “He’s a generational talent in terms of his skill set, and when he’s on, he looks like he could lead Texas back to prominence.”
From a talent perspective, this sentiment is shared by many. Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance on the field, showcasing the type of playmaking ability that Texas fans have longed for since the Vince Young days. His ability to thread the needle on deep passes and read defenses with poise under pressure is a glimpse into why there’s so much excitement surrounding his future.
However, while his skill set is unquestionable, the former Longhorn quarterback also emphasizes that the journey to becoming an elite college quarterback is far more complicated than having a powerful arm or athleticism. This brings us to the crux of the conflicting opinions about Ewers.
The Challenge of Living Up to Texas Expectations
Texas football has always been an institution of high expectations. The Longhorns have a proud football tradition, a passionate fanbase, and an incredibly competitive recruiting environment. When a quarterback wears the burnt orange and takes the reins of the team, there is always an immense amount of pressure to perform.
For Quinn Ewers, this pressure was compounded by the expectations placed on him before he even stepped foot on the field. While he was recruited to be the future of Texas football, the reality of playing in a high-profile program often means that even small mistakes are magnified, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
“The thing about Texas is that it’s not just about being a good quarterback. It’s about being the quarterback of the Texas Longhorns, and that comes with a weight that is hard to describe,” the former Longhorn quarterback explained. “The fans expect you to win championships. They expect you to be a leader. And they expect you to deliver big moments. That’s a lot for anyone, let alone a young guy like Quinn.”
As a young player, Ewers has undoubtedly faced growing pains. His first season at Texas in 2022 was a rollercoaster ride of high moments and low points. While he showed flashes of brilliance, there were also inconsistencies in his play, especially in high-pressure situations. For example, in games against teams like Alabama and Texas Tech, Ewers struggled to maintain consistency, which led to concerns about his readiness to lead a program as large and historic as Texas.
“There’s no question that Quinn has the ability to be great. But he has to learn to handle the expectations that come with being the quarterback of the Longhorns,” the former Texas QB continued. “The talent around him will be there, but he has to be able to handle the pressure and step up when it matters. That’s what separates the good quarterbacks from the great ones.”
While it’s true that many young quarterbacks face growing pains, Texas fans—and even analysts—have high expectations for Ewers, given the level of talent he was supposed to bring to the team. The key for Ewers will be whether he can translate his natural ability into consistent, high-level performances against top-tier competition.
Leadership Concerns and Development
One of the major concerns that the former Texas quarterback raised about Ewers was his leadership ability and mental toughness. While it’s easy to point to his arm strength and physical tools, it’s the intangible qualities of leadership, poise, and mental fortitude that often make the difference between a good quarterback and a great one.
“Leadership in a program like Texas isn’t just about what you do on the field. It’s about how you interact with your teammates, how you handle adversity, and how you carry yourself when the spotlight is on you,” the former quarterback emphasized. “Quinn has the potential to be a great leader, but it takes time to develop those skills. It’s not something that comes overnight.”
In games where the Longhorns were in tight situations, it was often unclear whether Ewers could rally his team or lead them to victory. In particular, there were moments in the 2022 season where his body language on the sideline didn’t exude confidence, and there were instances when the offense seemed disjointed under his direction.
Leadership on the field isn’t just about making the perfect throw—it’s also about instilling confidence in your teammates, maintaining composure in crucial moments, and inspiring your team to push through adversity. The former quarterback noted that Texas football has a long history of quarterbacks who have risen to the occasion when it mattered most—names like Vince Young, Colt McCoy, and even Sam Ehlinger. Ewers will need to prove that he can be that kind of leader in the future if he is to meet the lofty expectations set for him.
The Upside: Ewers’ Potential to Evolve
Despite the concerns about leadership and handling pressure, the former Texas quarterback is far from pessimistic about Ewers’ future. In fact, he believes that with the right coaching and experience, Ewers could evolve into one of the top quarterbacks in college football. The key will be developing the mental side of his game and continuing to refine his mechanics and decision-making.
“Ewers has everything he needs to succeed,” the former quarterback said. “He just has to continue to grow. He has the coaching staff around him with Steve Sarkisian and A.J. Milwee to help him develop. It’s all about staying focused, learning from his mistakes, and putting it all together when the time comes.”
One of the key factors in Ewers’ development will be the talent around him. As the Texas offense continues to improve, with solid offensive line play and elite skill-position talent, Ewers will have the resources to succeed. If he can stay healthy, improve his consistency, and continue to develop his leadership qualities, there is no reason why he can’t become the quarterback Texas needs to return to national relevance.
The Verdict: A Quarterback in Development
Quinn Ewers’ journey as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns is far from over, and his path is sure to be filled with both triumphs and challenges. The conflicting opinions from former quarterbacks about Ewers are understandable. On one hand, he has the physical tools and natural talent to be one of the best. On the other hand, there are concerns about his ability to handle the immense pressure and the mental aspects of the game.
For Texas, the hope is that Ewers will continue to grow and develop into the leader the program needs. If he can harness his potential, develop his leadership skills, and embrace the weight of being the quarterback for such a storied program, he could fulfill the lofty expectations and lead Texas back to the top of college football.
For now, though, the jury is still out on whether Ewers can meet that challenge. As he enters his second season at Texas, all eyes will be on him to see if he can answer the call.
